Apple tree named &#39;FR1063&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of apple tree, ‘FR1063’, originating as a whole tree mutation of the  Malus domestica.  This new variety is unique from other apple cultivars because of its coloring, flavor and ripening date.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

The new variety, ‘FR1063’ differs from other varieties in the following characteristics:

-   -   A. The fruit of the new variety is almost full red with a subtle         stripe, ripening in early October, with the 3^(rd) picking of         Honeycrisp, (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,197), resembling no other         known variety.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Malus domestica.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A new and distinct variety of apple tree originating as a whole tree mutation of an unknown variety of Malus domestica, hereinafter referred to as ‘FR1063’.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This new and distinct variety of apple tree was discovered in Conklin, Mich. as a whole tree mutation in an Honeycrisp orchard planted in 1998. The new variety was noticed because the fruit was less red and started coloring one week behind than the other trees in the orchard.

Observations during the next two seasons confirmed that the fruit and tree were completely different than the variety surrounding it. The mature fruit of the new variety finishes to a 40 to 50% red blush. The new variety matures in early October in central Michigan.

In April of 2007, buds were taken from the original limb and reproduced by grafting on M9 (an unpatented selection) rootstock in Conklin. Mich. The new variety has remained true to the description herein contained. The new variety has not been grown on its own root.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety as depicted in color as nearly true as is reasonably possible in color illustrations of this character. These specimens were obtained at Chester Township, Conklin, Mich.

FIG. 1 illustrates the fruits and foliage of the new variety at maturity.

FIG. 2 illustrates blossoms and buds of the new variety.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of the ‘FR1063’ cultivar follows using The Royal Horticultural Society of London Colour Chart, 1986 edition, for color identification except where general color terms are sufficient.

-   Parentage: A whole tree mutation of unknown parentage. Locality of     the original discovery and observations is Chester Township,     Conklin, Mich. -   Tree:     -   -   Age.—5 years.         -   Size.—Large, height 2 m, width 1 m.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous, yearly growth averages 0.5 m.         -   Density.—Open.         -   Form.—Flat to slightly upright.         -   Production.—Very productive, averaging 800 bushels per acre.         -   Growth type.—Non-spur.         -   Bearing.—Annual. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—42 cm in diameter at 90 cm above ground level.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Bark color.—Gray 201D.         -   Lenticels.—Length 1 cm, width 1 cm.         -   Lenticel color.—Gray 201D.         -   Lenticel density.—1 per cm². -   Branches:     -   -   3 Year old branch.—20 mm in diameter, color Grayed Brown             199C.         -   2 Year old branch.—10 mm in diameter, color Grayed Brown             199A.         -   1 Year old branch.—6 mm in diameter, color Grayed Brown             199A. -   Lenticels: 0.1 mm in diameter, round, color Grayed Brown 199A. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Length 95 mm, width 55 mm.         -   Texture.—Crisp, thin.         -   Form.—Broadly ovate.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Upper surface pubescence.—Absent.         -   Lower pubescence.—Very fine.         -   Upper surface color.—Green 139A.         -   Lower surface color.—Green 138A.         -   Venation.—Pinnate, 11 to 13 veins, mainly alternate, color             Grayed Green 195B.         -   Mid-vein.—Upper surface color Green 145A, lower surface             color Green 145A.         -   Margin.—Dentate.         -   Petiole length.—32 mm.         -   Petiole width.—2 mm.         -   Petiole upper color.—Grayed Green 195B.         -   Petiole lower color.—Green 144B.         -   Petiole groove.—Very shallow, depth 0.1 mm at base of             petiole.         -   Stipules.—Very fine, at the base of the petiole on most             leaves.         -   Stipule color.—Green 139A.         -   Leaf glands.—None observed. -   Leaf buds:     -   -   Length.—2 mm.         -   Width.—2 mm.         -   Color.—Grayed Green 197B.         -   Placement on branch.—Opposite, spiral, applied.         -   Internode distance.—20 mm to 25 mm. -   Spurs: Present on 2 year and older wood.     -   -   Length.—10 mm to 15 mm.         -   Width.—4 mm.         -   Color.—Greyed Green 197A. -   Flowers:     -   -   Bloom period.—Mid-season.         -   Presentation.—Showy.         -   Fragrance.—Faint.         -   Fertility.—Somewhat self-fertile, a good pollen source for             other apple varieties blooming in the same period.         -   Pollination requirements.—Requires pollen from other variety             blooming in the same period.         -   Pollen.—Present, abundant. -   Flowers at popcorn stage:     -   -   Pedicle.—Length 19 mm to 22 mm, diameter 0.2 mm.         -   Pedicel color.—Grayed Green 195B.         -   Bud.—Length 9 mm, width 8 mm.         -   Bud color.—Red 43A. -   Flowers at full bloom:     -   -   Corolla diameter.—Large, 75 mm to 85 mm when fully open.         -   Numbers of flowers per cluster.—3 to 5.         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Overlapping. Color: White 155D with a             blush on 20% to 40% of the petal surface of Red 55B. Petal             Veins: Indistinct coloration of White 155A. Shape: Rounded.             Margin: somewhat waved with an occasional point at the apex,             cupped with a basin 5 mm deep from the edge to the center of             the petal. Size: length 30 mm, width 20 mm. Texture: Crisp.         -   Pedicel.—Length 27 mm to 28 mm, width 2 mm, color Yellow             Green 145D.         -   Sepals.—5 in number, wedge shaped, sharply pointed, length 5             mm, width 2 mm, color Yellow Green 145D.         -   Filaments.—Length 10 mm, width 0.3 mm, color White 155D at             junction with anther.         -   Anthers.—Length 2 mm, width 0.1 mm, color Yellow 4C.         -   Pistil.—Held slightly lower than anthers in a majority of             blossoms.         -   Ovary.—Length 4 mm, width 1.5 mm, pubescent, color Green             White 157A.         -   Stigma.—Width 1 mm, pubescent, color Green White 157A.         -   Style.—Length 3 mm, width 1 mm, color White 157C. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.         -   Date of picking.—October 4^(th) to 7^(th) in Conklin, Kent             County, Mich., generally harvested in two pickings.         -   Size.—Axial diameter 80 mm, transverse diameter 95 mm.         -   Fruit weight (firm ripe).—250 g.         -   Form.—Uniform, symmetrical, regular, blocky, round.         -   Cavity.—Obtuse, deep, depth 19 mm, width 35 mm.         -   Basin.—Symmetrical, abrupt at base, wide, depth, 21 mm,             width 30 mm.         -   Calyx.—Open, segments persistent, erect, outer and inner             surfaces pubescent, color Grayed Green 193A. -   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium thick.         -   Texture.—Very smooth, glossy with medium cuticle wax.         -   Tendency to crack.—Slight.         -   Lenticels.—White, inconspicuous, small, few in number.         -   Color.—40 to 50% blush of Red 46A with subtle striping of             Red 46B, with the remainder of fruit a blush of Yellow 11B.         -   Ground color.—Yellow 11B. -   Flesh:     -   -   Aroma.—Sweet, aromatic.         -   Color.—Yellow 11D.         -   Texture.—Firm, tender, fine, crisp.         -   Eating quality.—Best, very juicy.         -   Brix at eating maturity.—16.5%.         -   Flesh pressure at eating maturity.—18+pounds. -   Core:     -   -   Bundle area.—Medium to ovate, cordate, symmetrical at base.         -   Bundle.—Inconspicuous, green, alternate above stamens.         -   Carpillary area.—Distinct, medium size.         -   Calyx tube.—Slightly urn shaped, open.         -   Depth of tube to shoulder.—17 mm.         -   Styles.—Distinct, pubescent.         -   Stamens.—One distinct whorl, small.         -   Axillary cavity.—Wanting.         -   Seed cells.—Walls thin, tough, length 10 mm, width 5 mm.         -   Longitudinal section.—Broadly ovate. -   Seeds:     -   -   Number perfect.—8 to 12.         -   Number in one cell.—2 to 4.         -   Length.—10 mm.         -   Breadth.—4 mm.         -   Form.—Obtuse.         -   Color.—Brown 200B. -   Stem:     -   -   Length.—35 mm.         -   Width.—3 mm.         -   Color.—Grayed Green 194A with mottling Grayed Red 181C. -   Use: Processing, fresh market, dessert. -   Shipping quality: Good. -   Keeping quality: Excellent, 90 to 120 days in common storage, 6 to     10 months in controlled atmosphere storage. -   Tree winter hardiness: Average for an apple variety. Tree is hardy     to −10° to −25° F. -   Bud winter hardiness: −15° to −20° F., dependent on the stage of     development of the bud. -   Drought tolerance: Average for an apple variety. Normal requirements     average ½″ of rain per week. Severe drought adversely affects fruit     size and quality. -   Disease resistance: Susceptible to fire blight (Erwinia amylovora)     and other bacterial diseases. Moderately susceptible to apple scab     (Venturia inaequalis), powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha), and     other fungal diseases. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of apple tree, Malus domestica, substantially as herein shown and described. 